Description
Anchoring the eastern end of the island chain, the Big Island is an island offering spectacular contrasts. Twelve distinct climate zones exist here, from tropical rain forests in Hilo and Kau’s arid desert to the snow capped summit of Mauna Kea. The Big Island offers outdoors adventures including SCUBA diving, golf, and whale watching.

Local Information
The Big Island is famous for its volcanoes. Kilauea, the most active, has been erupting almost continuously for more than two decades. At night, the lava lights up the steam to give an orange glow. When the molten lava makes contact with the ocean, the sea water turns into steam, and the sudden cooling of the lava causes the newly formed lava rocks to explode and crack into small pieces. Black sand beaches are common on the Big Island. Another popular tourist spot is the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut orchard and factory, a retailer of chocolate and Macadamia nuts. The Big Island boasts countless activities for visitors to enjoy, including airplane tours, ATV rides, dolphin encounters, fishing, golf, helicopter tours, kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, surfing and whale watching.

Airport Information
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (Big) Island, HI (KOA-Keahole) to get to the Big Island, many travelers fly in to Kailua-Kona (KOA) airport. Major Airlines servicing the island are: Air Canada, Aloha Airlines, American, Delta, Mesa Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, Japan Air, Northwest, United and US Airways. These facilities are served by an access roadway extending from the Queen Kaahumanu Highway. At the passenger terminals, the access roadway forms a one-way loop enclosing public parking and rental car check-in facilities.
Hilo International Airport is on the eastern shore of the island of Hawaii.

Local Weather
The Hawaiian Island's weather is very consistent, with only moderate changes in temperature throughout the year. There are only 2 seasons: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months that run from November to April. The average day-time summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while the average day-time winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C).

Entry Requirements
We recommend all persons travelling abroad should carry a passport due to heightened security at airport check-in and immigration. If you do not have a passport , please contact your airline or your local consulate or embassy in regards to travel documentation necessary for your vacation.